New Olympic champion Justin Rose admits winning the gold medal felt better than any tournament he’s ever won.
The Englishman out-duelled Sweden’s Henrik Stenson to secure the first Olympic Games golf gold medal for 112 years.
Rose and the reigning Open Champion could not be separated till in the end it was a superb chip from Rose that set-up the birdie to hand him victory in Rio.
There was only Rose and Stenson in the hunt for the gold medal and with Rose heading to the final round a shot clear of his good friend.
Stenson levelled several times throughout the round, including to go into the final two holes at 15-under after the 16th before both golfers found the edge of the fairway on their tee-shots on the 18th, but Rose’s pitch to within six-feet of the pin was enough to have the edge over Stenson.
Justin Rose Team GBs new gold winning Olympian.
The Swede missed his long birdie putt and also missed his par putt, to give Rose two putts to win gold in what was a final round 67 for a 16-under par victory tally.
“This feels better than any tournament I’ve ever won. This is so unique. The crowd out there today were incredible,” Rose said.
“It’s a cross between gold and a carnival atmosphere, with people being so patriotic, the Union Jack was flying out there – it was amazing.
“The whole week has been incredible. Representing Team GB and feeling like you’re bigger than just your individual sport is just incredible.”
While Rose went into the final round leading by one he knew that Stenson having gone 36 holes last month against Phil Mickelson at Royal Troon would just be as difficult and so it turned out.
“Henrik was never going to give an inch today,” said Rose.
“The only bogey he made was on 18 and that’s because he was trying to force the first putt in. He gave me nothing and I knew that would be the case. My goal today was to out-Stenson Stenson.
“To come up with that pitch [on the 18th] when I needed it is magical.”
